Support device

ABSTRACT

A support device for supporting a substantially vertical pole comprises a two-part collar ( 1 ) defining a central passage ( 6 ) therethrough. The parts of the collar may be releasibly secured together, thereby allowing a collar to be fitted around a pole. The support device further comprises a plurality of legs ( 8, 9 ) adapted to support the collar above the lowermost ends of the legs and with the central passage thereof substantially vertical.

TECHNICAL FIELD

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a support device for supporting asubstantially vertical pole. Such a pole may, for instance, be the stemof a plant, the trunk of a tree, the central pole or trunk of aChristmas tree, the central pole or tube housing the pole of an umbrellaor the shaft of a rotary clothes line. Thus in this specification theword pole is used with a very broad meaning.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known to provide support to the stems of plants such as tomatoes,cucumbers, runner beans etc., and to support saplings throughout theirearly stages of growth.

A commonly used method of supporting plant stems is to use lengths ofbamboo cane inserted vertically into the ground next to the plant, andto loosely tie the stem of the plant to the cane in stages as the plantgrows. A variety of means such as string, metal rings or plastic tiewraps may be used for this purpose. However, a common problem when usingsuch bamboo canes, is that they provide only limited support in windyconditions, the canes themselves being easily damaged.

It is now common practice to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in a standardsize growbag containing soil and nutrients. Supporting plants growing ingrowbags is problematic, as a bamboo cane either has to pierce the bagwhich can result in loss of soil and nutrients during repeated wateringof the plant, or has to be inserted into the surrounding ground at asubstantial angle, thus offering inadequate support.

Young trees, when planted, need to be supported to prevent damage fromwind and to encourage substantially vertical growth. A stake insertedinto the ground, and a flexible band wrapped around the trunk andsecured to the stake is a commonly used method of supporting such trees.As the tree grows, the flexible band accommodates the increase in thetrunk's dimension. In order to provide increased support, commercialforestry organisations frequently use a plastic tube wrapped around thetree trunk and inserted into the ground. Whilst such plastic tubesprovide good support in all radial directions, with the added benefit ofprotecting the sapling from damage by wild animals, they are impracticalfor domestic application. As the sapling grows, the tube will begin toconstrain its growth and must be removed. The removal of such tubesinvolves cutting them free from the sapling, thus making incapable ofreuse.

Large garden umbrellas or the like are usually supported by insertingthe central umbrella pole through a central aperture formed in a gardentable. The lower end of this pole is then inserted into container, viaan aperture therein. The container is situated below the table and isusually filled with water or sand for added stability. However, in theabsence of the table, this method of support is inadequate forsupporting the considerable weight of an umbrella.

Commonly used methods for supporting a rotary clothes line compriseinserting a length of tube or a spike into the ground. In the case ofconcrete patios, this involves a permanent installation which can not bemoved. In the case of inserting a tube or spike into a lawn, it isespecially advantageous to be able to vary the position of the clothesline so that particular areas of the lawn do not get worn due toconstant treading. Also, in wet weather, the ground becomes wet andmuddy, resulting in the possibility of the installation working loosewhich is obviously disadvantageous.

Free standing supports for Christmas trees are available in many forms.However, for supporting a Christmas tree within a non-custom builtreceptable two methods are currently used; the trunk is surrounded bybricks or stones of if the receptacle is made of wood, the bottom of thetrunk is nailed to the bottom of the receptacle and supported by twolengths of timber whose ends are nailed to the receptacle and on eitherside of the trunk. The first method does not secure the tree safely andthe second, apart from being time consuming, requires some considerableskill with possible damage to the receptacle.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved supportdevice.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a supportdevice for supporting at least one substantially vertical pole, saidsupport device comprising a collar defining a central passagetherethrough, said collar comprising at least two collar elements eachelement comprising a sector of said collar having a pair ofsubstantially flat radially and longitudinally extending faces eachengageable with the corresponding flat face of an adjacent collarelement, the elements being associated with securing means comprising atleast one tab projecting from each said flat face of each said collarelement, the or each tab being engagable within a corresponding recessformed in each said corresponding flat face of an adjoining collarelement to releasibly secure the said collar element together, and aplurality of legs communicating with said collar elements, the legsbeing adapted to support said collar with the central passage thereofsubstantially vertical, the collar being positioned above the lowermostends of said legs.

Advantageously said collar is provided with at least one resilientlydeformable element secured thereto, the or each resiliently deformableelement having at least one surface adapted to be in contact with saidpole to provide support to the pole whilst allowing limited movement ofpole and to accommodate a small change in dimension of the pole.

Conveniently said collar is provided with a plurality of saidresiliently deformable elements attached to the collar in an annularconfiguration, there being a radial cut therein to facilitate figmentaround said pole.

Preferably the support device comprises a plurality of said collars in asubstantially horizontal array, to provide support to a plurality ofsubstantially vertical poles.

Advantageously each collar is connected to at least one neighbouringcollar via a connecting member.

Conveniently at least one additional collar is provided and is disposedabove at least one of the or each collar.

Preferably the or each additional collar is connected to the collarimmediately therebelow via a connecting member.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided asupport device for supporting a substantially vertical pole, saidsupport device comprising a frame structure carrying a plurality ofradially inwardly biased supporting elements, each of said supportingelements being engageable with said pole to provide a support to thepole whilst accommodating a change in dimensions of the pole.

Preferably said frame structure comprises a collar defining a centralpassage therethrough and a plurality of legs, the legs being adapted tosupport said collar with the central passage thereof substantiallyvertical, the collar being positioned above the lowermost ends of saidlegs,

Advantageously each of said supporting elements comprises a radiallyextending elongate plunger slidably engaged within an aperture in thecollar and within a radially aligned aperture in an annular elementcommunicating with the said collar, each plunger having an outer end andan inner end, the inner end being engagable with said pole and beingassociated with a spring to bias the plunger inwardly.

Conveniently said spring is a helical spring positioned around saidplunger, one and of said helical spring being attached to the inner endof said plunger, the other end being engaged with said collar.

Preferably at least the outer end of said plunger is threaded andthreadedly engaged with a nut, the nut having an inwardly directed faceengaged with said annular element.

According to a further aspect of this invention, there is provided asupport device for supporting a substantially vertical pole having alower end, the support device comprising a collar defining a centralpassage therethrough, a plurality of legs, the legs being adapted tosupport said collar with the central passage thereof substantiallyvertical, the collar being positioned above the lowermost ends of saidlegs, locating means to locate and engage the said pole substantiallycentrally within the said collar, and mounting means to mount said polesuch that the lower end thereof is positioned above the lowermost endsof said legs.

Preferably said locating means comprises a plurality of radiallyextending locating elements, each of said locating elements having aninner end engageable with said pole.

Advantageously each of said locating elements comprises a threaded shaftfor threaded engagement within a corresponding threaded aperture in saidcollar.

Conveniently said mounting means comprises a substantially horizontalplate positioned below said collar to engage the lower end of said pole.

Preferably height adjusting means are provided to adjust the verticalposition of said mounting plate relative to the lowermost ends of saidlegs.

Advantageously said height adjusting means comprises a plurality ofapertures, each aperture being associated with said mounting plate andadapted to slidably receive a portion of one of said legs, meansprovided to releasibly secure said leg portion within said aperture.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, there is provided asupport device for supporting a substantially vertical pole within anopen-topped receptacle which has at least one upwardly extending sidewall, the device comprising a collar defining a central passagetherethrough, and a plurality of legs, the legs being adapted to supportsaid collar with the central passage thereof substantially vertical, thecollar being positioned above the lowermost end of said legs, the collarbeing provided with spacing means to locate the support device withinsaid receptacle. Preferably said spacing means comprise at least oneradially outwardly extending arm, said arm being engageable with the oreach side wall.

According to a still further aspect of this invention, there is provideda support device for supporting substantially vertical pole within anopen-topped receptacle which has at least one upwardly extending sidewall, the device comprising a collar defining central passagetherethrough and a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms, eachof said arms being provided with engaging means to securely engage theor each side wall to support said collar with the central passagethereof substantially vertical, the collar being positioned above thelowermost end of the receptacle.

Preferably said engaging means comprises a radially outwardly directedspike located at the outer end of each arm and adapted to engage andpenetrate the or each side wall and prevent relative movementtherebetween.

Conveniently said engaging means comprises a non-slip pad located at theouter end of each arm and adapted to engage the or each side wall andprevent relative movement therebetween.

Advantageously adjusting means are provided to adjust the length of theor each arm.

Conveniently said adjusting means comprises a substantially elongatefirst arm portion and a second threaded arm portion, said threaded armportion being threadedly engageable within said elongate first armportion.

Preferably locating means are provided to locate and engage the saidpole substantially centrally within the said collar.

Advantageously said locating means comprises a plurality of radiallyextending threaded shafts, threadedly engageable with said collar.

Conveniently each of said threaded shafts is provided with biasing meansto bias the threaded shaft inwardly.

Preferably said biasing means comprises a helical spring.

According to yet a farther aspect of this invention, there is provided asupport device for supporting a substantially vertical pole within anopen-topped receptacle having at least one upwardly extending wall, thedevice comprising a substantially elongate arm, means to secure saidelongate arm to an upper edge of at least one of said side walls, andmeans provided on the arm to engage the pole.

Preferably said means to secure the arm to said upper edge comprises apair of spaced-apart tongues each of which tongues is adapted to engagean opposite face of said wall at its upper edge, at least one of saidtongues being provided with a threaded aperture therethrough, and athreaded screw within said aperture engageable with the at least onetongue to clamp the upper edge of said wall between said tongue.

Advantageously said means to engage the pole comprises a substantiallyvertically extending flat plate having a threaded aperture therethroughand a threaded screw, threadedly engageable with said flat plate, andengageable with said substantially vertical pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so thatfurther features thereof my be appreciated, the invention will now bedescribed by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the support device ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of part of the support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the supportdevice illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the support device illustratedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of part of the support device illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the supportdevice illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative array of support devicesas illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a still further alternative array of support devices asillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the support deviceof the invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the support device illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of part of the plan support deviceillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a further embodiment of a support device ofthe invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the support device illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a further embodiment of the support device ofthe invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of part of the support device illustrated inFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15, showing twoalternative arrangements of part of the support device illustrated inFIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a further embodiment of the support device ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a side view of the support device illustrated in FIG. 17,shown in an alternative application.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a support device is showncomprising a lower collar 1 of cylindrical form, and an additionaloptional upper collar 2, substantially identical to collar 1. Lowercollar 1 and additional collar 2 each have a lower annular face (notshown) and an upper annular face 3, each face being provided with aplurality of apertures 4 therein. Additional collar 2 is locatedsubstantially vertically above lower collar 1 and is connected theretovia a pair of elongate connecting members 5. The lower ends of theconnecting members 5 are inserted into apertures 4 in the upper annularface 3 of the lower collar 1, and the upper ends of the connectingmembers 5 are inserted into the corresponding apertures formed in thelower annular face of additional collar 2.

Collar 1 and collar 2 each define a substantially vertical centralpassage 6 therethrough, the central passage 6 being adapted to receive asubstantially vertical pole, for instance the stem of a plant or thetrunk of a tree.

Collar 1 and collar 2 are provided with a plurality of radial recesses 7in their outer surfaces. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower collar 1 isfurther provided with a plurality of legs 8 each of which has a portionreceived within a recess 7. Each leg 8 has a substantially horizontalradially outwardly extending leg portion 9, and a further substantiallyvertical leg portion 10 remote from the collar 1. The substantiallyvertical leg portion 10 of each leg 8 extends substantially below thelower collar 1, such that the collar is positioned above the lowermostends of legs 8. The legs serve to support the collar 1 with the centralpassage 6 thereof substantially vertical.

Each collar 1, 2 comprises a pair of collar elements 11, 12, each collarelement comprising a half sector of collar 1 or collar 2.

Turning briefly to FIG. 2 of the drawings, one collar element 11 or 12,is illustrated. Each collar element 11 or 12 is of substantiallysemi-circular axial cross-section and has a pair of substantially flatradially and longitudinally extending flat faces 13, engageable with thecorresponding flat faces of the other collar element. Adjacent one endof collar element 11 or 12, there is provided a pair of projecting tabs14, each tab 14 projecting substantially perpendicularly from a flatface 13. At the opposite end of the collar element 11 or 12, there isprovided a pair of recesses 15 each formed within a respective flat face13. Each recess 15 is adapted to receive a corresponding tab 14 formedon the other collar element. In this way, the tabs 14 and recesses 15form means to releasibly secure the collar elements 11 and 12 together.

Turning now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. This embodiment incorporates a collar asdescribed above and legs 16 of a slightly different configuration to thelegs 8 as previously described. Each leg 16 initially extendssubstantially vertically downwards from the lower collar 1, each legbeing engaged within a recess formed in the lower annular face of collar1. At a point below the collar 1, each leg 16 is provided with aperpendicular bend to form a substantially horizontal leg portion 17,each leg portion 17 is similar to the leg portions 9 as previouslydescribed and each leg 16 is provided with a further substantiallyvertical leg portion 10 as previously described. It should however beunderstood that legs 5 or 16 and legs 8 are intended to be releasablysecured in recesses 4 and 7 respectively, but could also be permanentlyfixed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a resiliently deformable element 18. Element 18 takesthe form of a sector of an annular disk of resiliently deformablematerial. A small spigot 19 extends substantially perpendicular fromflat face 20 of element 18.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, a plurality of resiliently deformableelements 18 may be secured to the upper annular face 3 of a collar suchas, for example, either lower collar 1 or additional collar 2 of theembodiment of FIG. 1. Each spigot 19 is received within a recess 4formed in the upper annular face 3. Each resiliently deformable element18 is situated such that inner arcuate edges 21 thereof define asubstantially circular aperture through which a pole such as the stem ofa plant or the trunk of a tree may pass. Each arcuate edge 21 may engagethe periphery of a stem or trunk. In this way, the resilientlydeformable elements 18 may provide support to the stem or trunk whilstallowing limited movement of the stem or trunk and to accommodate asmall change in its dimensions, for instance due to growth.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plurality of collars 1 in a substantiallyhorizontal array. Each pair of neighbouring collars 1 are connected viaan elongate connecting member 22. Each connecting member 22 has asubstantially horizontal main central portion and substantiallyvertically downwardly extending end portions 23. Each end portion 23 isreceived within a recess 4 formed in the upper annular face 3 of collar1. The collars are supported on vertical straight legs 5. A bushy plantmay be supported by this structure or a single stem plant by one collarand associated legs 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plurality of collars 1 in a substantiallyhorizontal array being positioned above a conventional growbag 24. Eachcollar 1 is shown providing support to a stem 25 of a young plant havingits roots in the soil contained within the growbag 24. The collars aresupported by legs 8. Each pair of neighbouring collars 1 are connectedvia a substantially horizontal elongate connecting member 26. Each endof connecting member 26 is received within a recess 7 formed in theouter surface of each respective neighbouring collar, or apertures 4 inthe upper annular face 3 as in FIG. 6.

The use of connecting members 22, and 26 is intended to provide thesupport device with increased rigidity when a plurality of collars areused in an array.

FIG. 8 illustrates a support device substantially similar to thatillustrated by FIG. 7, the lower ends of each leg 8 being secured to anupper edge 27 of a planting box 28. For the illustrations of FIGS. 7 and8 the collars 1 have been shown supported by legs 8. Alternatively thecollars could be supported by legs 16 as in FIG. 3 with the connectingmembers 26 received in recesses 4. It should also be understood thatlegs 8 and 16 and connecting members 22 and 26 can have a cross sectionof any geometrical shape provided recesses 4 and 7 have the same shape.

FIG. 9 and 10 both illustrate a further embodiment to the presentinvention which is shown providing support to the trunk 29 of a youngtree. It is to be appreciated however, that this embodiment may be usedto support any substantially vertical pole. A frame structure 30 isprovided which comprises an annular collar 31 comprising two halfsegments releasably connected together and defining a central passage 32therethrough. A plurality of legs 33 are provided, each leg 33 having asubstantially vertical leg portion 34, and a lower horizontal legportion 35. Each horizontal leg portion 35 extends radially outwardlyfrom the axis of collar 31 and terminates with a downwardly dependingspike 36 which may be embedded in the ground 37 to anchor the framestructure 30 in position around the trunk 29.

As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 10, the collar 31 is provided with aplurality of smaller annular elements 38, each annular element 38defining a substantially vertical central passage therethrough, andbeing secured to the periphery of collar 31. Each annular element 38 isadapted to slidably receive a respective vertical leg portion 34.

The collar 31 is provided with a plurality of equi-angularly spacedradially extending elongate plungers 39, illustrated more clearly inFIG. 11. Each plunger 39 has a head portion 40 at its inner end, thehead portion 40 defining an inner flat face 41 for engagement with thetrunk 29. The shank 42 of plunger 39 extends substantially radiallyoutwardly passing through aperture 42 formed in the collar 31, andsubsequently through radially aligned apertures 43 formed in eachannular element 38 and through corresponding apertures 44 formed in eachvertical leg portion 34. In this way, each plunger 39 serves toreleasibly secure the corresponding vertical leg portion 34 within thecentral passage defined by each annular element 38, thereby releasiblysecuring the collar 31 in a position vertically above the lowermost endsof each leg 33.

Each plunger 39 has a threaded portion 45 at its outermost end, threadedportion 45 being threadedly engaged with a nut 46, the nut 46 having aninwardly directed surface 47 engaged with the collar 31 via annularelement 38. A helical spring 48 is positioned around the shank 42 ofeach plunger 39, one end of said helical spring being attached to theinner end of plunger 39, the other end of helical spring 48 beingengaged with collar 31. In this way, each plunger 39 operated as aradially inwardly biased supporting element to provide support to a poleor trunk 29 whilst accommodating a small change in the dimensions of thepole or trunk 29, for instance due to the trunk's growth.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings, a further embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated, supporting a substantiallyvertical pole 49, such that the lower end 50 thereof is positioned aboveground level 51. An annular collar 52 is provided, defining a centralpassage 53 therethrough. The collar 52 is associated with a plurality oflegs 54 each of which has a substantially vertical portion 55 and aradially outwardly extending horizontal portion 56 the lower surface ofwhich rests upon the ground 51.

Collar 52 is provided with a plurality of elongate vertically downwardlyextending tubular elements 57, each of which is secured to the outersurface of collar 52. Each tubular element 57 is adapted to slidablyengage a corresponding vertical leg portion 55, and is provided with aradially orientated threaded screw 58 engageable with an aperturetherein. Each threaded screw 58 thereby serves as means to releasiblyengage each vertical leg portion 55 within the corresponding tubularelement 57, thus enabling the vertical position of collar 52 to beadjusted.

Collar 52 is provided with a plurality of radially extending locatingelements 59, each of which comprises a threaded shaft 60 threadedlyengaged within an aperture 61 formed in collar 52. In operation, eachlocating element 59 may be radially adjusted such that its inner end 62is engaged with pole 49, thereby locating pole 49 substantiallycentrally within channel 53 and providing support to pole 49.

A horizontal flat plate 63 extends substantially across channel 53 at aposition vertically below collar 52. Flat plate 63 serves as mountingmeans, to engage the lower end 50 of pole 49 and to support lower end 50in a position vertically above the lowermost end of legs 54. Flat plate63 is associated with a plurality of annular elements 64, each of whichdefines a substantially vertical aperture therethrough. Each annularelement 64 is adapted to slidably receive a corresponding tubularelement 57, and is provided with a radially orientated threaded screw 65engaged within a aperture therein. Each threaded screw 65 thereby servesas means to releasibly engage a respective tubular element 57 withinannular element 64, thus providing means to adjust the vertical positionof plate 63.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 14,in which a device substantially similar to that illustrated in FIG. 12is shown providing support to the trunk 66 of a small tree standing inan open-topped receptacle 67. In this application, the legs 54 andmounting plate 63 are removed, the collar 52 being supported at aposition vertically above the base 68 of receptacle 67 by the pluralityof tubular elements 57, each of which serves as a leg. At least two ofthe locating elements 59 are removed and replaced by radially outwardlyextending arm 69 which serves as spacing means to locate the supportdevice within receptacle 67.

One configuration of each extending arm 69 is shown more clearly in FIG.15. At the inner end 70 of extending arm 69, a threaded shaft 71 isprovided, which effectively replaces locating element 59, threaded shaft71 being threadedly engageable with a corresponding aperture 61 incollar 52. The outermost end 72 of threaded shaft 71 is secured to aradially ouwardly extending elongate first arm portion 73. Arm portion73 is substantially tubular in form carrying at its outer end 74 athreaded aperture 75. Engageable within threaded aperture 75, is asecond threaded arm portion 76 terminating at its outer end 77 with ahead portion 78. Head portion 78 is engageable with an upwardlyextending side wall 79 of receptacle 67. By threaded adjustment of armportion 76 within threaded aperture 75, the effective length of arm 69may be adjusted.

An alternative configuration of arm 69 is illustrated in FIG. 16. Theinner end 70 of threaded shaft 71 is received within an aperture formedin a substantially vertical length of tube or bar 92, which in turnengages the outer surface of the trunk 66, thereby providing superiorvertical support for the trunk 66 or tube 89.

Tubular arm portion 73 may be provided with a diametrical throughbore 93to receive part of a key, bar or the like, thereby providing anincreased lever with which to rotate arm portion 73.

In the case of side wall 79 of the receptacle 67 being constructed froma soft material such as wood, the head portion 78 of arm portion 76 maybe provided with a small axial recess 94 adapted to receive small spike95 sharpened at its outermost end. The spike 95 may be forcibly pressedinto the softwall 79 thereby securely locating the outer end 77 of arm69. In this mode of operation, the need for legs 57 is reduced, and infact these may be removed.

In the case of the side wall 79 being constructed from a hard material,such as ceramic, the head portion 78 of arm portion 76 may be providedwith a non-slip resiliently deformable plastic pad 96, adhesively bondedthereto in place of spike 95. As the length of arm 69 is increased tolocate the trunk 66 substantially centrally within the receptacle, theplastic pad 96 engages the side wall 79 and due to its non-slip natureagain provides secure location for the outer end 77 of arm 69.

FIG. 17 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention whichagain serves to provide support to a vertical pole such as the trunk 66of a tree within an open-topped receptacle 67. A plurality ofequi-angularly spaced substantially elongate arms 80 are provided (onlyone being illustrated for reasons of clarity). Each arm 80 extends fromits outer end 81 located adjacent an upper edge 81 of side wall 79 toits inner end 82 at a position adjacent the trunk 66.

At the outer end 81 of arm 80, a pair of spaced-apart downwardlydepending tongues 83, 84 are provided defining a space therebetweenadapted to engage the upper edge 81 of side wall 79. The outermosttongue 83 is provided with a threaded screw 85 threadedly engageablewithin an aperture therein, threaded screw 85 serving as means toreleasibly secure arm 80 to upper edge 81.

The inner end 82 of arm 80 is provided with a substantially verticallyextending flat plate 86, having a threaded aperture formed therein. Afurther threaded screw 87 is threadedly engaged within said aperture,screw 87 being substantially horizontal and engageable with the trunk66.

FIG. 18 illustrates the embodiment described immediately above in use tosupport the central shaft 88 of a conventional rotary clothes linewithin an open-topped receptacle 67. It is to be appreciated however,that this embodiment of the present invention may also be used tosupport the pole of an umbrella within an open-topped receptacle 67. Alength of central tubing 89 is located substantially centrally withinreceptacle 67 such that said tubing projects above the upper edge 82 ofside wall 79. The surrounding space within receptacle 67 is packed withstones, sand or earth 90 thereby securing the tubing 89 therein andadding weight to the receptacle for stability. In the case of earth 90being used, plants or flowers 91 may be planted in the receptaclethereby adding to the aesthetic quality of the support device.

In this mode of operation, it may be found that, since the pole 88 isonly loosely received within tube 89, pole 88 may tilt slightly therebymaking the entire assembly unstable. In order to alleviate this problem,it is proposed to provide a thumbscrew arrangement 97 at the upper endof tubing 89, threadedly engaged within a radial aperture therein.Thumbscrew 97 engages the surface of pole 88 thereby laterally securing,the pole within tubing 89. Additionally, a locating element 98 may beprovided within tubing 89 and opposite to thumbscrew 97 to ensure thatwhen laterally secured, the pole 88 is central within tubing 89.

A substantially vertical length of metal tube or bar 92 may also beprovided which engages the tubing 89 over a substantial vertical lengthto increase stability. Tube or bar 92 is provided with an unthreadedrecess in its outer surface, said recess being adapted to receive theinnermost end of screw 87.

For the application shown in FIG. 18, the support device could be thatshown in FIG. 14 with arm 69 as in FIG. 16.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support device for supporting a substantiallyvertical pole, said support device comprising a frame structure carryinga plurality of radially inwardly biassed supporting elements, each ofsaid supporting elements being engageable with said pole to providesupport to the pole whilst accommodating a change in dimensions of thepole, the frame structure comprising a collar comprising a centralpassage therethrough, a plurality of annular elements attached to thecollar where each annular element has an aperture therethrough and aplurality of legs, the legs being adapted to support said collar withthe central passage thereof substantially vertical, the collar beingpositioned above the lowermost ends of the said legs; and each of saidsupporting elements comprising a radially extending elongate plungerslidably engaged within an aperture in the collar and within a radiallyaligned said aperture of said annular element communicating with saidcollar, each plunger having an outer and an inner end, the inner endbeing engageable with said pole and being associated with a spring tobias the plunger inwardly.
 2. A support device according to claim 1,wherein said spring is a helical spring positioned around said plunger,one end of said helical spring being attached to the inner end of saidplunger, the other end being engaged with said collar.
 3. A supportdevice according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least the outer endof said plunger is threaded and threadedly engaged with a nut, the nuthaving an inwardly directed surface engaged with said annular element.4. A support device for supporting at least one substantially verticalpole, said support device comprising a collar defining a central passagetherethrough, said collar comprising at least two collar elements, eachelement comprising a sector of said collar having a pair ofsubstantially flat radially and longitudinally extending faces eachengagable with the corresponding flat face of an adjacent collarelement, the elements being associated with securing means comprising atleast one tab projecting from each said flat face of each said collarelement, the or each tab being engageable within a corresponding recessformed in each said corresponding flat face of an adjoining collarelement to releasibly secure the said collar elements together, and aplurality of legs communicating with the said collar elements, the legsbeing adapted to support said collar with the central passage thereofsubstantially vertical, the collar being positioned above the lowermostends of said legs.
 5. A support device according to claim 4, furthercomprising at least one resiliently deformable element secured to saidcollar, the or each resiliently deformable element having at least onesurface adapted to be in contact with said pole to provide support tothe pole whilst allowing limited movement of pole and to accommodate asmall change in dimension of the pole.
 6. A support device according toclaim 5, wherein a plurality of said resiliently deformable elements areattached to the collar in annular configuration, there being a radialcut therein to facilitate figment around said pole.
 7. A support deviceaccording to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a plurality of saidcollars in a substantially horizontal array, to provide support to aplurality of substantially vertical poles.
 8. A support device accordingto claim 7, wherein each collar is connected to at least oneneighbouring collar via a connecting member.
 9. A support deviceaccording to claim 4 or claim 8, wherein at least one additional collaris provided and is disposed above at least one of the or each collar.10. A support device according to claim 9, wherein the or eachadditional collar is connected to the collar immediately therebelow viaa connecting member.
 11. A support device for supporting a substantiallyvertical pole within an open topped receptacle which has at least oneupwardly extending side wall, the device comprising a collar defining acentral passage therethrough, and a plurality of legs, the legs beingadapted to support said collar with a central passage thereofsubstantially vertical, the collar being positioned above the lowermostend of said legs, the collar being provided with spacing meanscomprising at least one radially outwardly extending arm, said arm beingengageable with the or each side wall, to locate the support devicewithin said receptacle, the or each arm being provided with adjustingmeans comprising a substantially elongate first arm portion and a secondthreaded arm portion, said second threaded arm portion being threadedlyengageable within said elongate first arm portion, to adjust the lengthof the or each arm, and said first arm portion being provided with adiametrical throughbore adapted to receive a lever.
 12. A support deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the or each outwardly extending arm isprovided with a non-slip pad at the outer end thereof adapted to engagethe or each side wall and to prevent relative movement therebetween. 13.A support device according to claim 11, wherein the or each outwardlyextending arm is provided with a radially outwardly directed spikeadapted to engage and penetrate the or each side wall to preventrelative movement therebetween.
 14. A support device according to claim11, 12 or 13 wherein locating means are provided to locate and engagethe said pole substantially centrally within the said collar.
 15. Asupport device according to claim 14, wherein said locating meanscomprises a plurality of radially extending threaded shafts, threadedlyengageable with said collar.